Let Us Help You, Anastasia

Chapter 1

Anastasia's P.O.V

I winced as my bare feet made contact with the rough cobblestone in the town's village as I walked around, trying to find the busiest vendor to grab a quick bite to eat without paying. The fall air was nipping at my exposed skin from the dirty rags I was wearing as I slipped through the crowd with ease. A few older people gave me dirty looks. I'm sure due to how much dirt was on my face and body but if they weren't going to help, what do they care? I looked straight ahead as I carefully slipped an apple off a cart as I quickened my pace towards the large castle ahead. I could hear my heartbeat and it felt like it was about to come out of my chest but luckily I wasn't called out for the petty theft. As I walked up the hill towards the golden gates, I began munching on the apple. Savoring every crisp bite that came with it as I waited for a guard to come towards me. They all seemed to be discussing a plan of action amongst themselves so I waited patiently. I knew I didn't look like a threat so it must've been a daily shift debriefing or something. I threw the core of the apple towards the grass, rocking on my heels with my hands clasped together behind my back. A small smile played on my lips as a guard finally took notice and walked over to me.

"Hello, can I help you with something? Are you lost?" The guard asked hoarsely, his eyes smiled as his mouth was a permanent frown it seemed. I nodded, taking the newspaper out with an ad for a maid as I gave it to him wordlessly.

I needed shelter, steady food and some money to save so I could move on to somewhere else. Just needing to get my feet on the ground, preferably with shoes this time. I had been kicked out of my house by my homophobic parents, having caught me kissing a girl in the horse stables during the storm that recently hit us. The Queens however were doing a remarkable job of taking care of all of their citizens and sending out money to help with repairs. Word on the street was the maids were taken care of very well and the main maid in charge, took greater care of littles. I had regressed a few times but never got to embrace it much due to my abusive parents. Probably for the best considering they didn't know how to be good parents, regardless.

The guard nodded, opening the gates with a button in the guard's station as he led me through them. I was worried of being judged by my appearance but it was more so a look of sympathy as he walked me into the castle. He brought me straight to the boss. Confusion washing over my facial features as they gave each other a little peck on the lips before he left. She smiled softly at me, bringing me to a beautiful spacious bathroom. The cold white marble tiles beneath me went well with the cream walls as I looked at the huge shower and bathtub. I could swim in that bathtub especially with some bubbles! I got giddy at the thought, bouncing on my toes as my imagination went on. She seemed to pick up on it, chuckling as she started the tub and poured bubble liquid into it as my eyes lit up watching the mountain it created. I scurried over to it, leaning over the tub as I tried to catch the bubbles beginning to float in the air.

"Hold on, precious, I don't want you to fall in. Let's get your clothes off and you wash up, then I'll have someone come in with some extra clothes for you." The lady spoke softly.

I jumped, forgetting she was there as I nodded before shamelessly getting undressed. I was so excited for a bath, I didn't even care that she saw my bare body. All my stiff muscles and bones melted into the warm water, it felt like my own personal massage as I settled into the tub with a sigh. She smiled at me before exiting the room, saying something about privacy but I could care less. After a few moments, I grabbed a rag she left and scrubbed all the dirt off my body before draining the tub and filling it again. The water was nearly brown and disgusting. Once it filled back up, I scrubbed again for extra measure before draining it and getting myself out carefully. I wrapped myself up in the big fluffy towel she left me before sitting myself on the bath mat by the tub, waiting for someone to come with clothes.

A blush crept to my face when I realized that I had allowed my childish state to come out in front of the head maid. I couldn't help it! A huge tub with bubbles?! It was so fun. Lost in thought, I hadn't even heard another maid come in with some clothes for me. She set them on the counter before excusing herself from the room with a warm smile as I padded over to the sink to brush my hair. I winced as I tried my best to brush through the knots, yanking at my sensitive head in the process. My eyebrows furrowed together, noticing the outfit placed on the sink counter. It was a light blue jogger set but I had noticed the traditional maid outfits everyone else wore as the older woman led me to this bathroom. Shrugging my shoulders, I slipped into the warm outfit gratefully before walking out into the hallway shyly. I wasn't sure where to find the woman and I couldn't even ask anyone because I hadn't caught her name. Thankfully, it was like she could read my mind because she popped up right behind me as I poked my head around the corner.